The theory of the condensation of supersaturated ion-free vapour

Abstract

The thermodynamic theory of the condensation of supersaturated vapours at the cloud limit is given in detail. A calculation of the rate of drop formation in water vapour in a typical expansion chamber gives reasonable agreement with experiment. The predictions of the theory as to the dependence of the cloud limit on temperature, and on the nature of the condensing vapour, appear to be correct, although the experimental data here are incomplete.